Recent attacks have made the Rottweiler Public Dog Enemy No. 1 but many dogs can be aggressive. Among them:

Rottweiler

Rottweiler

History: Bred in Germany and other parts of Europe for sheep herding, cart pulling and protection, now often used as guard dogs. One of the more popular breeds in the United States. Mostly black (with rust markings), robust, compact and extremely strong.Size: 24-27 inches high. Can grow to more than 100 pounds.How many: 2,075 registered in Hamilton County last year, according to Hamilton County Auditor Dusty Rhodes. 41,776 registered in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Bites: 26 recorded by the Hamilton County General Health District last year. (*See note below.)

Pit bull

Pit bull

History: Muscular and agile, the dog's closest registered relative, the Staffordshire terrier, was bred in England in the 1800s as a cross between a bulldog and a terrier as a fighting dog. Pit bulldogs got their name from baiting bulls for sport.Size: 17-19 inches high, 30-40 pounds.How many: 431 registered in Hamilton County last year. The AKC does not recognize pit bulls and does not keep a record of how many there are.Bites: Twenty recorded by Hamilton County General Health District last year.

Chow

Chow

History: Originally from China, chows were first brought to England in the late 1700s. Intended as guardians and cart pullers. Serious, aloof, not especially friendly to other dogs.Size: 17-19 inches high; usually not much more than 40 pounds.How many: 2,188 registered in Hamilton County last year, 6,241 registered in the United States.
Bites: Thirty-seven recorded by Hamilton County General Health District last year.

Doberman pinscher

Doberman

History: Bred by German dogcatcher/policeman Louis Dobermann in the late 1800s to be guard dogs. Aggressive with other dogs, energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient. Size: 24 to 28 inches high; up to 66 to 88 pounds.How many: 789 registered in Hamilton County. 13,431 registered in the United States. Five recorded by Hamilton County General Health District last year.

German shepherd

German shepherd

History: Bred in Germany in the late 1800s as herding and guard dogs, now one of the most popular breeds and used by police forces around the world. Strong, agile, and well-muscled. Size: 22 to 26 inches high, grow to 75-95 pounds.How many: 6,039 in Hamilton County. 57,257 in the United States.
Bites: Sixty-five recorded by Hamilton County General Health District last year.
*Note: Dog bite figures exclude city of Cincinnati, Norwood, Reading, Sharonville, Springdale, St. Bernard and Indian Hill.